I was thrilled to learn on June 6th that The Rift has been shortlisted for the Young Adult category of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Look at the incredible line up of titles and authors!

Auckland readers: Join Rachael Craw, award winning author of the Spark trilogy for the launch of her new YA novel, The Rift, a heart-pounding urban fantasy, brimming with mystery, adventure and romance.

There will be a Q&A, book signing and refreshments to enjoy.

Be sure to share this event with your book-loving friends! Can’t wait to see you there.

It was an exciting day for snail mail on May 19th! When I arrived home from work I found a courier package waiting for me from my publisher, the ARC (Advance Reading Copy). I think Amy Daoud has somehow managed to make the ARC cover as alluring and mysterious as the final print cover that will be released in November! Check out those claw marks.

My new novel is set to hit the shelves in November this year and I can’t wait for y’all to read it. In the meantime here is the utterly gorgeous cover art, designed by the brilliant Amy Daoud. She designed the covers for Spark, Stray and Shield and she has yet again blown me away with her incredible design concept.

Walker Books acquires a new YA novel from Rachael Craw

Craw set to delight fans with a brand new mystery featuring an ancient curse and a centuries-old secret.

To celebrate the festive season, Walker Books Australia have 3 sets of Spark, Stray and Shield up for grabs over the next 3 weeks before Christmas.

Shield was released September 1st and to celebrate the completion of the series Walker Books Australia surprised me with an amazing booktrailer! The graphics and the music give me goosebumps. Check out the video!

August 8th, 6.30pm at the Circa Theatre in Wellington, I was delighted to hear my name announced at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults when Stray won the Children’s Choice category for YA. Hoorah! I had about 12 flustered seconds from my seat to the stage to try and think of something charming and gracious to say. I was pink-faced and gabbling and completely chuffed. What an honour.

There are some exciting events coming up to celebrate the release of Shield in Christchurch, Sydney and Melbourne in the coming weeks. If you live in one of these cities I would love to see you in person or via Skype. Come along and get a free bookmark & poster. First up, in Christchurch: ‘Teens in Peril’ at the WORD Christchurch Writers & Readers Festival, August 27th…

Rachael Craw’s YA title Spark has been optioned by New Zealand film company Miss Conception Films, fitting perfectly with their mission to “make films with strong female protagonists”. A perennial favourite among young-adult fiction fans, the gripping action and fast-paced narrative was always perfect for film.